Don’t let your summer’s go to waste just because you don’t know how to stay fit in the wintertime.
If you want to be healthy and happy, it’s important that you have a well-rounded fitness routine. By staying physically fit, it will be easier to manage your weight, lower your blood pressure, and build muscle.
It’s easy to stay fit when the weather is warm outside, but it can be challenging when it gets cold. Thankfully, there are several things you can start doing today in order to stay fit in the wintertime.
If you want to find out how to exercise in winter, read on and we’ll tell you everything that you need to know.
Working Out During Winter: Ways to Stay on Track With Your Fitness Goals
Once winter hits and snow starts piling up outside, it’s easy to let go of the discipline that you once had in the summer.
For most people, it’s simply more enjoyable to exercise when it’s warm out. For starters, you don’t have to worry about bundling yourself up. You can just put on your running shoes, shorts, and tank top, and set out on a jog under the toasty sun.
This becomes more difficult once the winter hits. This is why most people stop working out during this part of the year. Even if you don’t intend to let yourself get out of shape, it gets easier to push snooze on your alarm clock rather than face the freezing elements.
Here are some great strategies to make it easier and more enjoyable to work out when it gets cold.
Invest in the Right Kit
It’s not necessary for you to break your bank in order to invest in a great exercise kit. Instead, the best thing to do is to be intentional about choosing the right items you need. Try to only purchase durable items that will last you many seasons.
Consider buying yourself things such as warm and reflective gym leggings, a base layer, a wind jacket, a breathable pair of gloves, thick socks, and an ear warmer. If you have all of these items in one location in your home, you’ll find that it’s much easier to get outside in order to move your body when it is cold outside.
Try to Do Small Things, Very Often, Every Single Day
It might seem like a monumental task to take a three-mile run when it is raining sleet outside. This is why one of the top exercising tips is to not aim to do long and difficult workouts when you don’t feel like doing them.
If you’re not motivated, try to run for one mile instead of setting a goal of running for three miles. If one mile still feels like too much, then tell yourself that you’ll just run for five minutes. If this still feels like it’s going to be too much, set your sights on making one quick lap around the block.
When you set the bar low when working out, it becomes easier for you to get started. Research on habit formation shows that once you get started with the easiest steps in doing something, you’re more likely to take action. After this, you’ll find that it’s easier to set and accomplish more ambitious goals.
Why Not Hire a Fitness Trainer?
There are endless benefits that people see when they work with personal trainers. Despite what many people believe, you don’t need to be a competitive athlete to benefit from having a personal trainer.
If you hire a personal trainer, you’re likely to see faster results. When you’re working out during winter, it’s too easy to let yourself get off of track from accomplishing your fitness goals.
A personal trainer will help to keep you focused on your workout. They are skilled at knowing how to design exercises for you that are in alignment with your goals. They also understand what types of exercises are best for your body type and for your situation.
A fitness trainer will also offer you accountability. By having somebody who is invested in your success, you’ll start feeling excited about getting active. It is a rewarding experience to have somebody at your side who cheers you on when you accomplish your goals.
You’ll also reduce the chance of getting injured if you hire a trainer. Since your body will be more likely to become stiff in the cold winter temperatures, it’s important that you know the right stretches and the right exercises to loosen up. Your fitness trainer will help you to design the perfect routines that are safe and supportive for your body.
Do Whatever You Can to Move
When it’s cold outside, it’s natural for you to want to park your car as close as possible to the front of the parking lot so that you won’t have to spend so much time outside. Some people also stop doing things like walking or bicycling to work so that they can enjoy the warmth of their car heating systems.
What many people don’t realize is that by doing this they burn fewer calories. This is why it’s so common for people to put on weight in the wintertime.
If you want to avoid this, start doing small things in order to be more physically active. For example, you might consider creating a habit of parking your car as far in the back so that you’ll burn more calories on your walk to the store. You could also start making time for taking more strolls with your dog around your neighborhood park.
Find a Training Buddy
Did you know that your training buddy doesn’t even need to be physically present with you? Working out with a training buddy can be as simple as scheduling daily Zoom sessions with a friend in order to set goals together and to reflect on what you’ve accomplished.
You could also find a friend or a relative in your community to meet up with once or twice a week in order to exercise with you.
If you don’t have any friends to work out with, consider joining a gym. Most gyms have group fitness classes. Not only will participating in group classes help you stay motivated but you’ll also have the chance to meet new people who share your interest in staying physically fit in the wintertime.
Safety Tips for How to Exercise in Winter
When you’re working out in the winter, it’s important that you stay safe. It’s possible that harsh weather will put you in danger. You could also develop hypothermia if you don’t wear the right gear. Here are some tips for staying safe when you are working out.
Keep Up to Date on Weather Conditions
If you’re planning on being outside for extended periods of time, it’s important that you check the weather. You should also keep in mind that weather conditions change quickly in the winter. This is why it’s a good idea to set your phone up to receive winter weather alerts.
If there is a storm or a blizzard in the forecast, consider taking a short break from outdoor exercise.
Know Your Cold-Weather Survival Skills
In the rare circumstance that something does go wrong when you’re exercising outside, consider taking training or a course so that you know what to do in emergency cold weather situations.
One of the most dangerous conditions that you’re at risk of developing while exercising in the cold is hyperthermia. If you’re trained in outdoor survival then you’ll know exactly what to do if you suspect that your body temperature is getting too low.
Dress Yourself Up in Order to Keep Dry
You should never underestimate how much clothing you’ll need to stay warm when you are exercising outside in the cold. It’s true that you’ll start to feel warmer once you’re moving your body. But it’s possible that weather conditions will change.
By bringing more clothing than you think that you need, you’ll be prepared for any situation. You can always bring a backpack or an extra pouch to store the layers that you don’t need.
Don’t Underestimate the Importance of Having the Right Warmup Routine
Since your body is more likely to be stiff in colder temperatures, it’s a good idea to start every workout with a long warmup routine. You should consider dedicating twice as much time as you think you need for warming up.
In order to warm your body up, consider starting out by taking a short walk around your block. You could also simply walk a few laps around your yard.
Once you’ve done this, consider doing some static stretching. Focus on your triceps, hip flexors, and hamstrings. If there is a simple yoga routine that you’re used to, this is a good time to do it.
Once you’ve done some stretching, do some basic warmup exercises. If you’re going to be targeting your lower body during your exercise routine, consider doing some squats in order to warm up your quads, hamstrings, and glutes. If you plan on doing an upper body workout, it’s a good idea to do a plank in order to bring blood flow to your core, back, and arms.
Choose to Stay Inside
Many people make a mistake in thinking that they need to be outside when working out. There is no rule that says you need to do this, and there are many great ways to get into great shape while staying indoors.
Consider setting aside some time to do yoga from your home. You could also make a trip to the gym in order to lift some weights or do some spinning.
If you’re looking to have a full-bodied workout that will also improve your cardiovascular health, why not set aside some time to go swimming. We have an indoor swimming pool that is open year-round. Our pool regularly hosts aquatic classes, AquaFit and Aqua-Yolates. You can also come by in order to swim laps.
Great Workout Ideas for the Wintertime
If you live somewhere where there’s snow outside, why not try some cross-country skiing? It is a fantastic exercise if you’re looking to get a high-intensity workout on your glutes, hamstrings, and quads. It also gives you a workout on your shoulders, triceps, and upper arms.
If you have kids in your house, you could join them when they go out sledding. By trudging through the snow you’ll be burning around five hundred calories per hour. On top of this, pulling your sled up a hill is a great cardio workout.
If you’re the more adventurous type you could also go snowboarding or downhill skiing. Both of these will help you to develop your lower body and core muscles.
If you prefer to stay indoors, wintertime also offers you the opportunity to get started with functional training. This is ideal if you want to build strength in the muscles that you use during everyday activities.
Get Into Great Shape in the Winter
If you’ve been wondering how to exercise in winter, don’t worry. There are many easy ways to stay active. Consider taking up a new outdoor sport, but if you do, remember to keep yourself warm. If you prefer to stay inside, there are many great ways to get into the greatest shape of your life.
If you’re looking to start working out in a gym, why not join us? We offer the widest variety of cardiovascular machines and free weights in Washington D.C. We also have state-of-the-art facilities that are recently remodeled. Get started today by checking out our membership plans.
